Wrist watch strap, band, or bracelet



July 23, 1935. c. FElD ET AL WRIST WATCH STRAP, BAND OR BRACELET Filed NOV; 10, 1933 5 resiliently operated to clasp around the Patented July 23, 1935' UNITED STATES amass WRIST WATCH STRAP, BAND, 0B BRACELET Charles Feid, North Attleboro, Mesa, and Charles A. Mealy, West Barrlngton, B. L, assignors to Harold E. Sweet, Attleboro, Mass doing DESP- ness as Mass.

B. F. Simmons Company, Attleboro,

Application November 10, 193:, Serial No. 697,410

Claims.

This invention relates to wrist-watch straps, bands and bracelets and particularly to a talontype bracelet compiised oi opposite circular arms hingedly connected to the sides of the watch and wrist or the wearer.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved means for hinging the arms or talons of the bracelet to the lugs on the watch-case with the hinges embodying resiliently-operated means for swinging the arms or talons into closed relationship. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinging means of the type indicated which may be used with different types 01' wrist-watches having lugs of various shapes and dimensions on the sides of their cases.

Another object of ,the invention is to provide a hinge-device of the type indicated embodying means for winding up or tensioning the spring which operates to swing the arms or talons into closed relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge-device of the type indicated having its operating parts entirely enclosed and concealed i'rom view.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge-device of the type indicated which is compact in size, neat in appearance and 'eflicient for the purpose specified.

'Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge-device oi the type indicated which is simple in construction, proof against derangement or getting out of order and durable in use over long periods.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction or the device and several modifications thereof as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing a wristwatch of conventional. type with spring-arms or talons connected to its sides by the present improved hinge-device;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the watch and talon bracelet illustrating the manner inwhichthe arms or talons are swung into open position in plaing the bracelet on and removing it from the wt t;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged part-sectional detailed view oi. the present improved hinge-device for connecting the arms or talons to, the sides of the watch-case; 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lugs of the watch-case as modified to receive the hinging means;

Fig. 5 isa perspective view of the hinge-pin or pivot which carries the helical torsion-spring for v the swinging arm or talon;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the hinged portion of the swinging arm or talon;

Fig. 7 is a part-sectional view similar to Fig. 3 showing an alternative arrangement for connecting the hinge with the watch-case lugs and maintaining the spring under tension;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-4 of Fig. I;

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the detail of the ratchet-means for winding up the spring; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a portion of the watch-case with one of its lugs splined to receive a key on the hinge-pin, also illustrated in perspective in this view.

Various types of straps, bands, linkages and bracelets are used with wrist-watches and most of these require some form of clasp or buckle for connecting their ends and adjusting them in length to fit the wrist. The present invention contemplates the use of a two-part semi-flexible strap, band or bracelet having opposite arms or talons hinged to the sides of the watch-case to adapt them to clasp around the wrist, thereby eliminating the use of buckles, mechanical clasps, extension-devices or the like which are liable to get out of order and become worn or broken in use. With a strap, band or bracelet of the above described type the curved arms or talons are pivoted to the sides of the watch and operated by resilient means, such as helical springs, to hold their ends in normally closed or overlapping relationship as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the present drawing.

It is desirable that the hinging ,means andthe springs for operating the talons be embodied in a small, compact organization in order not to detract from the ornamental appearance of the watch; and it is also essential that the mechanical elements of the hinge be enclosed and concealed irom view both to protect the mechanism from dirt and dust and avoid an unsightly appearance. It is further necessary that the hinging means be adapted for connection to the ball-lugs of watches 01 different sizes and shapes or, in other words, universally applicable to practically all types of wrist-watches. The present invention contemplates the attainment'oi these desiderata.

Referring to the drawing, 2 designates a witch of conventional cushion" shape having pairs of lugs 3 and 4 on the sides of its case for connection with a strap, band or bracelet. With diilerprecious metal which may be embossed, engraved or otherwise ornamented; while in other instances the metal is covered with a sheathing of fabric or soft leather as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the present drawing. The fabric or leather sheath-- ing s may be shaped like a glove-cot to fit snugly about the tapering strip 6 and the edges of the material may be bound at the hinge-joint by means oil a metal strap or band b whereby to provide a'finished appearance.

For attaching the talons to the watch each strip 63 is provided with a cylindrical sleeve or end-bearing 5 shown in detail in Fig. 6. The

bearing sleeve ll may be constructed from sheet- -stock bent into tubular 12cm with wing-portions 53 projecting from itsside in opposite spaced relatiop to overlap the end of the strip 6. The wing-portions i may be soldered or otherwise secured to the metal strip 6 to provide a secure joint therebetween. As shown most clearly in m. ii oi the drawing, the end of the strip 6 does not extend clear into the opening between the overlapping wings 8 of the bearing member l, a space being left to provide a slot or pocket 9 for holding the end of the torsionspring to be later described.

The hinge-pin id for the arms or talons 5 is of tubular construction as shown in Fig. 3 with axially projecting pivots or pintles ii and i2 at :its ends adapted for insertion into holes in the lugs ii and 6 on the watch-case 2. in the usual form oi bail-pin for wrist-watches of the type herein shown the pivots or pintles are arranged to telescope within a tubular sleeve to adapt them for insertion into the holes in the lugs on the watch. in the present construction of the hinge-pin iii one pintle ii is secured fast in the end of the sleeve it while the other pintle i2 is telescopicaliy held in the opposite end of the sleeve and normally maintained in its outwardly projected position by means of a helical spring 15 of relatively fine wire.

The fixed pintle I i is formed with a cylindrical body portion soldered or otherwise suitably secured within the end of the sleeve ill and its proiecting end is of rectangular shape to provide a key ii for engaging in a longitudinal slot N in the end of the lug 4 on the watch-case 2. The slot I4 'may be formed in the lug 4 by enlarging the original hole with a small file, this operation being accomplished in fitting the bracelet to the watch.

The opposite telescopically mounted pintle l2 has a cylindrical body slidable within the sleeve II and a smaller end portion l8 projecting through a reduced opening at the end of the sleeve to adapt it to enter the hole I! in the lug 3 on the watch-case. The reduced opening at the end of the sleeve l may be formed by crimping or swaging the tube radially inward as shown in Fig. 3. The helical spring l5 acts between the fixed pintle I l and the movable pintle l2 to normally hold the latter with its end portion l6 projected into the hole I! in the lug 3 on the watch while adapting it to be telescoped within the end of the sleeve in placing the hinge-pin in position or removing it from between the lugs 3 and 4.

At one end of the hinge-pin I0 is an enlarged hub or boss I9 which may be formed as a part of the sleeve or soldered or otherwise secured fast thereon. The boss or hub I9 is of suitable diameter to flt freely within the-bearing sleeve 1 to adapt the latter to turn thereon to providefor the swinging movement of the arm 5 in the manner indicated by the dash lines in Fig. 2.

Coiled about thetubular hinge-pin i0 is a helical wire spring 20 having one end 2| held in a small hole in the side of the boss E8. The opposite end of the spring projects radially and is bent back in a straight length forming an arm 22 extending parallel to and spaced away from the side of the hinge-pin Ill.

The parts of the above described hinge-joint or pivot mounting are assembled in cooperative relationship as next explained. The hinge-pin iii carrying .the spring 20 is inserted into the hearing sleeve 1 with the arm 22 of the spring engaged in the slot or opening 9 between the wing.- portions 8. The spring 2i) is then wound up to provide the proper tension. The arm 5 is connected to the watch-case by holding the squared it may be brought into alinement with the hole ill in the opposite lug 3, whereupon it will be projected into the hole under the tension of the internal spring i5. With the parts assembled in this relationship as shown in Fig. 3, the spring arm 22 acts against the side of one of the-wings 8 on the bearing member "5 to exert considerable pressure tending to swing the arm or talon 5 on its pivot to close itinto the position illustrated by full lines in Fig. 2; it being understood that the opposite arm or talon 5 is connected to the watch in the same manner so that the ends of the two talons will be carried into overlapping relationship as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. In other instances the arms or talons 5 may be proportioned to adapt their ends to meet in abutting or spaced relationship.

When it is desired to apply the bracelet to the wrist the two arms or talons 5 are swung back on their hinges in the manner illustrated by dash lines in Fig. 2 to adapt their ends to slide across the wrist. As the talons 5 are released the springs 20 in their hinges act to close them together to clasp snugly about the wrist. The springs 2|! are of sumcient tension to prevent accidental opening of the arms so that the watch is held securely on the wrist without danger of its disconnection therefrom. The watch may be readily removed from the wrist by simply swinging the talons 5 apart and thus the bracelet is much easier and more convenient of operation in, applying it to and removing it from the wrist.

l 'igs. 7, Band 9 of the drawing illustrate a modified form of construction of the device wherein means are provided for winding up the spring and holding it under tension before the hinge-pin is connected to the lugs on the watchcase. In this embodiment of the invention the hinge-pin is of substantially the same construction as previously described, except that the telescopically mounted pintles. I! are provided at both ends of the sleeve III with the spring I! holding their reduced ends in projected relationship.

The means for holding the hinge-pin from turning in the lugs consists of a small prong or finger 23 projecting from a'flanged collar 24 fast on the end oi. the sleeve ill and adapted to engage across the edge of the lug I, see Figs. '7 and 9. This latter form of construction is preferable as providing that the hinges for the talons may be :connected to the lugs on the watch-case without any alteration or modification thereof, thus enabling the bracelet to be applied to the watch without the use of tools.

The means for holding the spring 20 wound'up under tension consists in a ratchet-like pawl or detent-element 25, preferably formed integral with the bearing sleeve 1 and provided with a hooked end 26 engageable in grooves 21 extending longitudinally of the hub or boss 28 on the hinge-pinv I 0. The detent-pawl 25 may be constructed as a part of the bearing sleeve 1 by slitting the metal thereof to form a rectangular opening, as shown in Fig. 9, and bending over the end of the strip cut from the opening. With this latter form of construction the spring 20 may be wound up by turning the hinge-pin it after it has been inserted within the bearing sleeve I and to hold the spring under tension the detentpawl 25 is sprung inwardly to engage its hooked end 26 with one of the slots 21 in the hub 28; it being understood that the pawl 25 is normally sprung radially outward from the opening in the sleeve 1 when the hinge-pin i0 is assembled within the bearing sleeve. The bearing sleeve 1 may be made of tempered stock and the sides of the slots 21 in the boss 28 formed slightly beveled so that the pawl 25 r 11 spring into and rideout of the slots 21 in ratchet fashion as the hinge-pin is turned in a direction to wind up the spring 20.

Fig. 10 of the drawing illustrates a still further modified form of construction of the means for holding the hinge-pin from turning to maintain the torsion-spring 20 under tension. In this embodiment of the invention a feather or key 30 is formed on the end of the hub 28 extending diametrically thereof and the lug 4 on the watchcase 2 is provided with a lateral slot or keyway II for receiving the key. This latter form of construction is of advantage in that theslot or keyway 3| may be easily formed in the lug I with a small file, thus, enabling the jeweler or person selling the bracelet to fit it to a watch-case withv out requiring particular skill.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides a particularly ingenious device for hinging the spring-operated arms or talons of a bracelet to the sides of a watch-case, with the mounting compacted into a minimum space and the mechanical elements entirely enclosed and concealed from view.

The modified form of construction shown in Figs. 7 to 9 renders the device applicable to practically all types of watch-cases having lugs on their sides without requiring alteration therein or expert fitting and thus the device is practically universal in its application, it being only necesany that the hinge mountings be made of different widths to fit watch-cases of standard sizes.

While the device is herein shown and described as embodied in a preferred form of construction with several modifications in its details, it is to be underaoodthatotherchangesmay bemadein the structure and arrangement of its parts withutfromthespiritorscopeofthe invention; Therefore, without limiting ourselves comprising opposite arms shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the wrist, hinging means for pivotally mounting an arm on a watchcase, a telescopic pin forconnecting the hinging means with the lugs on the watch-case, a'helical spring organized with said hinging means in coaxial relation to the pivot thereof, and means to maintain the spring under tension to act torsionally to swing the arm into closed relationship with the opposite arm.

2. A strap, band or bracelet of the type indicated comprising a pair of opposite talons shaped substantially to the contour of the wrist, andmeans for hingedly connecting said' talons to a watch-case comprising a hinge-pin engageable with the lugs on the case, a helical spring arranged coaxially of the hinge-pin, a hollow bearing enclosing the hinge-pin and spring, means for connecting one end of the spring to move with the talon, and means for holding the opposite end of the spring to cause the latter to be placed under torsion, when the talon is swung back to open the bracelet.

3. In combination with a watch-case having lugs on its side, a spring-operated telescopic hinge-pin held in the lugs, an arm hinged on said pin, a helical spring extending coaxially of the hinge-pin, a hollow casing enclosing the pin andspring, means connecting one end of the spring to the arm, and means engaging the opposite end of the spring to hold it under torsion.

4. In combination with a watch-case having lugs on its side, a spring-controlled telescopic hinge-pin held in the lugs, an arm hinged on the pin, means for holding the pin from turning in the lugs, a helical spring extending coaxially of the hinge-pin with one end secured fast therewith and its opposite end connected to swing the arm, and a hollow casing enclosing the pin the lugs, means on-the hinge-pin engaging a v ing on the watch-case to prevent the pin from turning, an arm having a bearing pivotally mounted on the hinge-pin, and a helical spring extending coaxially of the pin and having one end fastened thereto and its opposite end fastened to the arm.

7. In combination with swatch-case having lugs on its side with one of said lugs formed with a keyway, a hinge-pin extending between the lugs and provided with a key engaging the keyway,anarm,abearingontheendofthearm pivoted on the hinge-pin, and a'helical spring extending coaxially of the hinge-pin with one end secured thereto and its opposite end engaging the arm.

8. In combination with a watch-case having lugs on its side with holes therein, a hinge-pin having pintles the holes in vthe lugs, means for holding the hinge-pin from turning inthelugs, a-heiicalspringcoiledaronndthe hinge-pinwith one end fastened thereto and its opposite and extending radially therefrom, a bearing surrounding the hinge-pin and formed withanopeningforreceivingthe radiallyextending portion of the spring, and a curved arm extending from the bearing.

9. In combination with a watch-case having lugs on its side, a hinge-pin extending between the lugs, a. finger at one end of the pin engaging across 9. lug to hold the pin from turning, a hellcal spring coiled about the hinge-pin, a bearing surrounding the hinge-pin and enclosing the spring, a curved arm connected tosaid bearing. and means for securing one end ot the spring to the hinge-pin and the opposite end to the arm.

10. A hinge-device for connecting the swinging arms of a bracelet to a watch-case comprising a hinge-pin, a helical spring coiled around the hinge-pin with one of its ends secured fast therewith and its opposite end extending radially therefrom, and a bearing sleeve surrounding the hinge-pin to enclose the spring and formed with an opening for receiving the radial extension of the spring.

11. In a hinge-device for talon bracelets, the combination of a hinge-pin, a helical spring coiled around the pin with one of its ends secured thereto and its opposite end extending radially therefrom, a bearing sleeve surrounding the hinge-pin and enclosing the spring, said sleeve formed with wing-like portions extending radially in spaced relationship with the radial extension of the spring held therebetween, and a curved arm having its end securedbetw'een the wing-portions of the bearing.

12. In a hinge-device for connecting the arms of a talon bracelet to a watch-case, the combination of a hinge-pin, a bearing member surrounding the hinge-pin, a helical spring extending coaxially of the hinge-pin with one of its ends secured fast therewith and its opposite end attached 'to the bearing, a curved arm extending from the bearing, and ratchet-means between the bearing and the pin for holding the latter with the spring wound up under torsion.

13. In a device of the type indicated, the combination-of a hinge-pin provided with detentshoulders on its periphery, an arm having a hearing pivoted on the hinge-pin and provided with a pawl engageable with the detent-shoulders thereof, and a helical spring surrounding the hinge-pin with one of its ends secured thereto and its opposite end engaging the am, said pawl and detent-shoulders acting to hold the pin from turning to maintain the spring under torsion.

14. In a device of the type indicated, the combination of a hinge-pin provided with detentshoulders on its periphery, a bearing surrounding the pin and having a pawl integral therewith adapted to engage the detent-shoulders, a helical spring coiled around the pin with one end secured thereto and its opposite end engaging the bearing, and an arm extending from the bearing.

' 15. In a device of the type indicated, the com bination of a bearing-member, a hinge-pin in said bearing-member, an arm on said bearing-memaccepts therewith and its opposite end attached to the f bearing-member, a curved arm carried by the bearing-member, and 'detent-means between the bearing-member and the pin for restraining the latter irom turning in the bearing when the spring is wound up under torsion.

. 1']. In combination with a watch-case having 8. lug on its side, a pivot-pin attached to the lug, means engaging between the pin and the lug prevent the pin from turning in the lug, an a having a hollow hearing at its end surroundl the pivot-pin, a spring extending helically of the pivot-pin and enclosed in the bearing on the arm with one of its ends engaging the arm, and means for holding the opposite end of the spring to maintain the spring under torsion to cause it to swing the arm on its pivot.

18. In combination with a watch-case having lugs on its side, an arm having a hollow hearing at one end, means for hingedly connecting the arm with the lugs on the watch-case, a helical spring extending axially -within the bearing, means for connecting one end of the spring to move with the arm, and means for connecting the oppositeend of the spring with the watch;- case to maintain the spring under tension, said spring acting to swing the arm against the wrist of the wearer.

19. In a device for connecting an arm of a bracelet to a watch-case, the combination of hinge-means for pivotally mounting the arm on the watch-case, a helical spring extending coaxially of the hinge-means with one of its ends secured thereto and its opposite end engaging the arm to swing the latter, and manually-operated detent-means for holding the spring so that it may be applied to the watch-case under torsion.

20. In combination with a watch-case having apertured lugs on its side, a curved arm having a hollow bearing fixed to its end, a pin extending through the hollow bearing with its ends engaging the apertures in the lugs to pivotally connect said bearing to the watchcase, a hellcal spring enclosed in said bearing, and means t hold the ends oi the spring to maintain; undeg torsion to cause it to act on the arm to swin the latter.

CHARLES FEID. CHARLES A. MEAL-Y. 

